Vampire Weekend @ Silverlake Lounge, 7/17/07

On their second night ever playing in Los Angeles, Vampire Weekend hit the Silverlake Lounge stage and declared their love for our city, citing its sunshine and quinoa. Singer Ezra Koenig even introduced “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa,” substituting the last two words with “quinoa quinoa.” Either these Brooklyn kids have never encountered extensive vegetarian-friendly menus before or this is a grain-related inside joke that maybe I don’t want to get.
For a band with only three songs for sale, Vampire Weekend filled their 45-minute set with energetic pop – not the most enthralling stage presence, but with those polished, catchy songs, it didn’t matter. A packed house was bouncing along and smiling. No mention of this band fails to refer to the similarities to Paul Simon, especially “Graceland.” And they’re there, but Vampire’s tiny oeuvre is far more complex than you’d imagine after hearing that comparison.

If Vampire Weekend were ranked according to a terrorism alert-style system, they’d be all the way up at red – for having sucked your blood and made you a convert.

Wholeheartedly agreed. This show was a blast. Seemed like genuine fun was had on stage and in the audience (like watching your favorite high school band play in your living room). Ezra had a sort of understated stage presence/command of the audience, and when they dared to play new material (relatively new, since as you point our Karen they only have 3 songs for sale) their misstepps were endearing. Also a relief that for once the lofty hype reference points were lived up to. I had to listen to the name of this band is talking heads all the way home. Can’t wait for these guys to come back.

No, your impulse was exactly the right one. Great as they are, they’re at that kind of delicate stage where inflated expectations could probably lead to disappointment, and where too much enthusiasm among the fans could actually go to the band members’ heads a little. Best just to get the name out there, tell people the band is worth checking out, and then step back and wait to impress folks that you saw these guys at the Lounge way back in July. Anyway, great pix and a great review. Thanks!

I wholeheartedly agree with you, Anonymous, but I didn’t want to gush too much. I’ve been fairly obsessed with them ever since they caught my eye on an event calendar a couple months ago – I checked out their songs on MySpace and was hooked. So I was oblivious to the hype, but I think it’s definitely warranted. The first album can’t come soon enough!

I saw them at the Troubadour on Monday after having been turned on to them by John Darnielle’s blog. They’re quite good – I’d add some Police and Ghanaian Highlife as possible touchpoints for their sound. Looking forward to a full release from these guys.